Trails to the Past

Washington County Rhode Island Biographies

Men of Progress of Rhode Island and Providence Part 3
Source:  Boston New England Magazine 1896

BABCOCK, Joseph Alonzo, Secretary and Treasurer of  the Dixon Granite Works, Westerly, is the seventh in descent from John Babcock, second son of James, who with his family emigrated from England in 1630 and settled in New England. He therefore comes from lineage well represented in the struggles waged in behalf of civil and religious liberty, on account of which many fled to seek a refuge upon these shores. At the session of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, held on the first Monday in July, 1780, "both Houses being resolved into a grand committee," with other officers chosen to fill up the vacancies in Col. Christopher Greene's regiment, his great-grandfather, Ichabod Babcock, Jr., was elected Cornet of a Troop of Horse ; and it was  recommended to His Excellency General Washington to commission them accordingly. His grand-father, Joseph Babcock, son of Ichabod, Jr., and Esther (Stanton) Babcock, was born April 1, 1762, and married Sarah, daughter of Christopher Babcock, Esq, August 10, 1782; he died in Westerly of smallpox, December 22, 1796, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. His father, Joseph Stanton Babcock, son of Joseph and Sarah Babcock, was born in Westerly, June 3, 1792  when a small boy he removed with his mother and other members of the family to Otsego county. New York; in 1825 he settled in Cannonsville, a small village on the banks of the Delaware river, in Delaware county, N. Y., and May 10, 1827, he married Abby, daughter of John Owens, a prominent citizen of that locality: here he passed the remainder of his life, highly respected by all who knew him, because of his spotless character, and here he died February 5, 1855.  In this retired and picturesque little village Joseph Alonzo Babcock was born March 9, 1833. He received his education in the public schools and in the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y.  At twenty years of age, in 1853, he came to Westerly and was soon engaged as teacher in the public schools, receiving his first certificate from Rev.  Thomas H. Vail (afterwards Bishop of Kansas), Rev. Frederick Denison and Rev. A. L. Whitman, who were at that time the town school committee.  He has continued to cherish the liveliest interest in the schools of the town, and the opinions which he entertains concerning matters of education always command respectful attention. When the call for three hundred thousand volunteers was issued by the President, in the summer of 1862, he enlisted " for three years, or during the war," and was mustered into the service August 8, by Captain Silva, at Providence. He joined Troop A, First Rhode Island Cavalry, and first answered at roll call in Poolville, Maryland. He was in the ranks during the march to Falmouth, when the regiment was constantly on the flanks of the army and doing picket duty. During the battle of Fredericksburg, the regiment was sent to Dumfries to protect the trains. From this time until the March following, the regiment was engaged in hazardous out-post duty, rendered doubly trying by the severity of the weather. March 10, 1863, he was promoted to a position on the non-commissioned staff. In May he was with the regiment at Chancellorsville, in June at Brandy Station and Middleburg, and on the 17th, when the fight was raging with the rear guard of Stewart's command, he was prostrate on the ground with typhoid fever. Unable to ride his horse he was placed in an army wagon, and finally reached Alexandria, Virginia. For a month and a half he received in his tent the attentions of Dr.  Albert Utter, the Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, but when, about the 1st of August, the regiment having been recruited and new horses provided, it was ordered to rejoin the Army of the Potomac at Warrentown, he was unable to proceed, and was sent to the Queen Street Hospital in Alexandria, where he was admitted August 8, 1863. Perhaps no war and no government had ever before developed a more perfect and efficient hospital service than that which then ministered to the Army of the Potomac; and added to this, the constant attendance of his wife at his bedside for two months made it possible for him to receive his discharge from this hospital October 6, 1863, though he carried with him a surgeon's certificate of disability.  Inheriting a sound body he entered the service in splendid health, and at the expiration of fourteen months found himself at home a shadow of his former self, with his right limb paralyzed from the effects of the fever, and remained an invalid for more than two years. His love for the old regiment still remains, and he is now a member of the First Rhode Island Cavalry Veteran Association, and was elected its President in 1890.  He joined Vincent Post, No. 6, Grand Army of the Republic, upon its formation in Westerly in 1867, and remained a member until it surrendered its charter and was disbanded in 1870. When Budlong Post, No. 18, was instituted in 1874, he became a member, and has always remained in sympathy with the objects and purposes of the order. In 1877 he was Aide-de-Camp on the staff of the Department Commander; in 1879 was Senior Vice-Commander of Budlong Post; in 1885 was elected Post Commander, and by unanimous re-elections held the office for four years. He then peremptorily declined a fifth election, but after an interval of one year, he consented to again accept the office and was unanimously elected. He was elected Captain in the Westerly Rifles in 1872, and served two years, when he resigned to accept the position of Chief of Staff in the Third Brigade, with the Tank of Major, which he held for four years; and when the militia was reorganized into one brigade, he was elected and commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and commanded the Third Battalion from 1879 to 1881. In politics he is a staunch Republican. In 1873 he was elected a Representative to the General Assembly of Rhode Island, and was re-elected in 1876 and 1877. He served on the committees on Education and Militia, and during his last term was Chairman of the latter. He was Trial Justice of the Justice Court of the town of Westerly from 1881 to 1884, when other engagements compelled him to place his resignation in the hands of the Governor; was trustee of School District Number One from 1885 to 1889, and Chairman during the last two years; is now, and has been since 1890, a member of the town School Committee, and is at present Clerk of the board. He was Moderator of the Westerly fire district from 1878 to 1891, and is now, and has been since 1882, Moderator of the town of Westerly. He has long been prominent in Masonic circles. He is a member and Past Commander of Franklin Lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons: is a member and has served as High Priest of Palmer Chapter No. 28, Royal Arch Masons; is a member, and is reckoned among the earliest in the list of Eminent Commanders, of Narragansett Commandery No. 27, Knights Templar. Among Masons he is recognized as one who makes thorough preparation for work; his literary culture and tenacious memory secure for him a mastery in all declamatory parts, while the preciseness and freedom with which he delivers the splendid ritual contribute to make it most impressive. Mr. Babcock is not less known and respected as a religious man. He is connected with the First Baptist Church in Westerly, and for twenty-two years has been Secretary of its Corporation. He has been repeatedly elected Superintendent of the Sunday School, and as teacher for many years has held with unflagging interest a large class in the study of that book o f which he is not ashamed. At t he beginning of the Fifty-second Congress, in December, 1891, he went to Washington as Private Secretary to United States Senator Nathan F. Dixon, and soon after became Clerk to the Senate Committee on Patents. His term of service there closed with the final adjournment of the Fifty-third Congress, in March, 1895, when he returned to his Rhode Island home. As an accountant he has been connected with some of the largest manufacturing establishments in Westerly, and he is now the Secretary and Treasurer of the Dixon Granite Works. Mr. Babcock was married, September 1, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth M., eldest daughter of Isaac C. Burdick of Westerly, who was also a teacher, and who in intellectual pursuits has always thoroughly shared his tastes and inclinations: they have had two children: Edward H., born November 21, 1857, and Mary A., born June 10, 1860, who died in Washington, D. C, January 20, 1892.

CHAMPLIN, John Carder, M. D., of Block Island, was born in the homestead of his grand-father Rose at New Shoreham, Block Island, February 13, 1864, son of John P. and Lydia M.  (Rose) Champlin. His father was the only son of Christopher E. and Rosina (Pocock) Champlin, and Christopher was the fourth and youngest son of Nathaniel and Mary T. (Hull) Champlin, who were the first of the family to settle on Block Island (about 1775).   The Champlin family is one of the oldest on the island, and the name is closely connected and associated with all the principal events that make its history.   John P. Champlin, the father of Dr.  Champlin, has been at the head of the town government for the last quarter of a century.   The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of New Shoreham and the Island High School.   Adopting medicine as a profession, he entered the Boston University School of Medicine, from which he graduated in June 1885 with the degree of M. D.   Being induced to locate in his native town, he began the practice of medicine on Block Island in July 1885, and has continued there until the present time. He has the honor of being the first physician born on Block Island. He was appointed Postmaster of Block Island in July 1888, and in February 1893 he was appointed Medical Examiner of the Second District of Newport County for six years. He was elected a member of the School Committee of the town of New Shoreham in April 1894. Dr. Champlin is a member of the Rhode Island Homoeopathic Medical Society and the Hahnemann Medical Society of Boston; also of Atlantic Lodge of Masons, of which he was master from 1890 to 1895, Columbus Lodge Knights of Pythias, Newport Chapter, De Blois Council, and Washington Commandery Knights Templar. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Block Island. In politics he is a Democrat. Although never seeking office. Dr. Champlin has always been active in all enterprises for the welfare and development of his native town, and was especially influential in securing the completion of the harbor of refuge in the Great Salt Pond of Block Island. He was married, June 23, 1886, to Miss Annie J. Conley, daughter of Captain George W. and Arabella (Dodge) Conley ; they have three children : Annie A., Rose and Christopher A. Champlin.

CLANCY, William P., Postmaster of Westerly, was born in Waterford, New London county. Conn., June 20, 1855, son of James and Bridget (McGrath) Clancy. He is of Irish ancestry. His father was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1822, and emigrated to America in 1849, and his mother was born in County Tipperary in 1832, and came to this country in 1848; they came to Westerly in April 1858. William's early education was acquired in the public schools of Westerly, from 1862 to 1868.  His parents being in comparatively poor circumstances, and he being the eldest of eight children, he was obliged to leave school at an early age, but attended evening school during the winter months of 1869-70.   He learned the granite cutters' trade, and commencing the business in November 1872, continued in that occupation until November 1893, always working hard during the day and devoting his evenings to study.   Mr. Clancy is a member of the Atlantic Social Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Cardinal Manning Total Abstinence Society.   He was Recording Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians from June 1883 to January 1889, then served two years as President, and was then elected County President of Washington county, which office he now holds.   He was also Recording Secretary of the Atlantic Social Club June 1885 to January 1888.   He received his appointment as Postmaster of Westerly on May 23, 1895.   In politics he is a Democrat, and has been Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee since March 1890.   He is unmarried.

CLARKE, Elisha Peckham, physician and surgeon, was born in Westerly, R. L, August 17, 1833, the son of Robert and Dorcas (Peckham) Clarke.  He is a descendant of an old Rhode Island family settled in the state since an early period in its history. He received his early education in the public schools and at DeRuyter Institute, New York. He taught school for several years, successfully, before entering upon the profession of medicine which he I adopted.   He took one course in the Harvard Medical School and finished his course in the Maine Medical School (Bowdoin College), from which he graduated August 5, 1863.   He commenced practice  in Milford, Mass., in the fall of 1863.   On February 7, 1864, he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the Thirty-first Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers.  He remained in the service and was mustered out at the close of the war, in September 1865.   He then settled in Hope Valley where he has since remained  in the enjoyment of a large practice.   He was elected a member of the State Senate in 1878-79 and re-elected in 1879-80.   He has been a Director in the Hopkinton Savings Bank since its incorporation and is now its second Vice-President.   He was elected a Fellow of the Rhode Island Medical Society in 1867, its second Vice-President in 1891-92, first Vice-President in 1893-94, and its President in 1895, which office he now holds.   He is a charter member of Charity Lodge A. F. & A. M., and was elected Worshipful Master in 1870.   He is also a charter member of Franklin Royal Arch Chapter, in which he has held various offices and is at present King.   He is a charter member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R., was its first commander and served for two years.   He is a charter member of Hope Chapter of the Eastern Star, and its first Worthy Patron.  He is now Grand Associate Patron of the Grand Chapter O. E. S. of Rhode Island. He married, May 7, 1859, Miss Nancy J. Davis, of Ledyard, Conn, who died November 20, 1894; they have two children: Elisha D., a graduate of Harvard Medical University, now practicing medicine in Woonsocket, R. I., and Elliott M., a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan.

LEWIS, James Noyes, M. D., Ashaway, was born in Pawcatuck, town of Stonington, Conn., October 30,1849, son of Dr. Daniel and Ann Frances (Kenyon) Lewis. The Lewises were among the first settlers of what are now the towns of Westerly and Hopkinton, R. I., and the genealogy can be traced back six generations. His grandfather, Christopher C. Lewis, was the town clerk of Hopkinton for more than forty years, and his great-grand-father, Dr. James Noyes, was a practitioner in Westerly fifty years ago. His mother was the daughter of Dr. Joseph D. Kenyon, late of Hopkinton. Thus it is seen that his professional tastes, to say nothing of his skill, were inherited from both sides. His father died in Ashaway, R. I., in 1859, when James was but ten years old. He was educated in the common schools of his native town and at Hopkinton Academy, spent one year at Alfred University, Alfred, N. Y., and graduated in medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia College, New York City, March 3, 1874. Before graduation he studied and practiced medicine four years with Dr. John D. Kenyon at Ashaway, R. I, Since his graduation he has practiced continuously in the town of Hopkinton, R. I., with the exception of four years spent in Killingly and Plainfield, Conn., and for the last fourteen consecutive years in Ashaway.  Owing to the long illness and subsequent death of his father, Dr. Lewis's early life was spent in farm labor and in teaching to obtain the means of completing his education.   But by perseverance, hard work and strict attention to business, he accomplished his purpose in life, and now enjoys the fruits of a successful and lucrative practice. He was one of the charter members, and is at present Vice-President of the Washington County Medical Society, but although strongly Republican in politics, has never held any public office.   He was married, November 29, 1876, to Miss Lois Clarke, daughter of Hon. Halsey P. Clarke of Richmond, R. I., and the union has been blessed by two daughters: Susie C, born July 5, 1882, and Hattie D. Lewis, born Dec. 9, 1891.

MASON, Robert Albertus, Chief Engineer of the Westerly Fire Department, was born in Pawtucket, October 16, 1850, son of Henry Franklin and Matilda Rider (Lapham) Mason, of English and Scotch ancestry. He attended the public schools of Providence, graduating from the Bridgham street grammar school in 1865. Between the ages of sixteen and nineteen he worked on a farm at Evans Centre, Erie county, New York, and in 1S69 entered the foundry of the Rhode Island Locomotive Works in Providence to learn the moulder's trade. He remained in that establishment until 1880, and from that time until May 1882. was employed in the foundry department of William A.  Harris, Providence. He then started a foundry for the Lamphear Machine Company, at Phenix, R. I., but left there in the following August to take charge of the foundry of C. B. Cottrell & Sons' printing press manufactory at Westerly, which position he now holds. Mr. Mason has served as Captain of Capt. George W. Steadman Camp Sons of Veterans, of Westerly, from December 1889 to February 1891 ; Major of the Rhode Island Division Sons of Veterans, from February 1891 to February 1892 ; and as Chief Engineer of the Westerly Fire Department from November 1892 to the present time. He received the Master Mason's degree in What Cheer Lodge No. 21 of Providence in 1872, joined Pawcatuck Lodge No. 90 of Pawcatuck, Conn., in 1886 and was elected Worshipful Master in 1894 He joined Palmer Chapter Royal Arch Masons No. 28 in 1884, was chosen High Priest in 1887, 1888, 1889 and 1892, joined   Narragansett Commandery No. 27 of Knights Templar in 1885, and was elected Eminent Commander in 1893 and 1894; he was made a shriner in Palestine Lodge, Mystic Shrine, at Newport in 1887, and received the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, at Providence in 1888. He is first Past Chancellor of Bowen Lodge Knights of Pythias, of Westerly. He is also a member of the Westerly Business Men's Association. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Mason was married September 7, 1876, to Miss Fannie Earl Hixon. They have two children : Fannie Alice, now eighteen years of age, and Robert Edgar Leroy Mason, aged sixteen years.

PENDLETON, Hon. James Monroe, late President of the Niantic National Bank and Niantic Savings Bank, Westerly, was born at Pendleton Hill, North Stonington, Conn., January 10, 1822, son of General Nathan and Phoebe (Cole) Pendleton, and died February 16, 1889. He was the youngest son and tenth child in a family of twelve children. He was a descendant on his father's side of Major Brian Pendleton, who came from the mother country and settled in New England shortly after the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620, and became distinguished as a soldier and in the councils of government. Gen.  Nathan Pendleton was a member of the Connecticut Legislature from 1810 to 1826. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district schools, and graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institution in 1844, with high honors, following which he entered at once upon the active duties of a business life. In 1854 he was one of the incorporators of the Niantic Bank of Westerly, and subsequently during seventeen years was its Cashier, the bank in the meantime having reorganized under the National Bank Act. At the time of his death he was President of the Niantic National Bank and also of the Niantic Savings Bank. From youth he took a deep interest in political science and public affairs, and his industry, ability, rectitude, patriotism and exemplary private life early won the public confidence, appreciation and esteem. He was elected to the State Senate for the years 1862-65 inclusive, in 1868 was a Delegate to the National Republican Convention in Chicago, and was chosen Presidential Elector the same year. He was elected to the Forty-second Congress in 1868, and re-elected to the Forty-third Congress, serving during the first session on the Committee on Printing and Revolutionary Claims, and subsequently on the Committee on the Revision of Laws, one of the most important in the House. Mr. Pendleton was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1876, and in 1878 he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, was re-elected each succeeding year until 1884, and held during several sessions the position of Chairman of the Committee on Finance.  Mr. Pendleton was an earnest advocate of all measures which he believed to be conducive to the good of the community in which he lived or of the country at large. During the war he was President of the Union league in Westerly, and was largely instrumental in enlisting soldiers for the defense of the government. For fifteen years he was a member of the State Board of Charities and Corrections, and a portion of the time its Chairman. He also held many offices in the Masonic fraternity. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Bethena A. Spencer, of Suffield, Conn., a lady whose talents and refined culture command the highest respect and esteem.  Mr. Pendleton having no children, he manifested much liberality and kindness in the education of his nieces and nephews. In 1854, two children of his brother William were taken into his family for that purpose, one of whom, James M. Pendleton, became a Lieutenant in the army during the late Civil War, and died of fever contracted in the service.  Another, Elizabeth P. Pendleton, whom Mr. Pendleton considered his adopted daughter, died February 2, 1891. In 1865, his brother having died, two others of the children were given a home, one of whom has since died, and the other, Rev. Charles H. Pendleton, graduated from Brown University in 1878, and from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1881.

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